Big XII, SEC, Conference USA. Sunbelt, WAC, and Southland?

[DonnieS]

I second that, SFA seems to be making some very positives changes. The problem I see for them is that the softball field is part of a youth complex and not a stand alone field on their campus. For some that will be a let down. Although they are reuilding the field with "new" stands, etc. It doesn't help that it's away from campus, I can't imagine a big turnout from the student body. I could be wrong though (I hope so anyway).

LD, are you talking about the softball field that are ajacent to the baseball field? Those are very good - equivalent to A&M, Baylor, etc. The fields that are away from the campus are their practice fields - not bad, but not like their regular field. Their regular field dugouts are really nice and have bathrooms inside the dugout. The grass in perfect and the stands are huge.

Donnie, I think you are confusing Texas State and SFA. The complex where SFA plays is at the city park several miles from campus. It is a HUGE negative in recruiting I would think, but I could be wrong? That said, this was exactly the kind of school that I was talking about . I see SFA making a huge move up the ladder. . . that said, why are they verballing 2012s? Are these kids "impact" players that will elevate them against teams like Texas A&M, Baylor, ULL, etc.

Sorry you are right - I am confusing SFA and Sam Houston State over in Huntsville. I have never been to SFA, yet, nor to Texas State. Those fields at Sam Houston State are beautiful.
Sad to hear that SFA's fields arent like sharp.

[3Bsnag]

Wondering what the Texas hey bucket crowed thinks about the future of the bottom/middle of the pack teams in the Big XII, SEC, Conference USA. Sunbelt, WAC, and Southland?

Who has no hope of turning it around. And if they can, will it require a coaching change, new facilities, etc.

If you were the parent of 12u, 14u, or 16u kid, where would you be looking? Who seems to be "winning" the recruiting wars to break out of the bottom/middle of the pack in these regional conferences?

The first team that came to my mind after reading your post was Arkansas. Really nice facilities, under performing, HUGE roster, and a completely new staff. I think it's going to take them a while to unscrew the program. Was not impressed with their play last year. Why 27 or 28 girls on the roster? Throw it up and see what sticks? Or 3 team scrimmages?

Ole Miss- great Sr pitcher and added Barnhill who will help tremendously. However, not a very good record last year and had 8 batters hitting <.250. Need run support for above average pitching.

MS State- has got it made the next few years when talking recruiting. Head coach being HC of Team USA will give him pick of the litter.

Team I want to see succeed- Kentucky. Loved watching Johnson last year, very good SS & hitter.

OK State- I expect to always run middle of the pack. Their problem will be like most schools in direct competition with their BCS neighbors- OU vs OSU, UF vs FSU, LSU vs ULL, UNC vs NC State. Some not in the same conference, but are competing for the same recruits. This team is capable of upsets.

A&M- had little hope they would be really competitive until their pitching transfer, and of course, that speedy Corpus girl.

Texas- all I can say is WTF?

Texas Tech- I have high hopes for Tech in a few years. Completely new staff, great facilities, good budget, good recruiting pool, but will the recruits live in Lubbock for 4 years? As a parent, I think it's a good thing. I'd rather have my kid in Lubbock than hanging out on 6th Street every day. Look for some great verballed/signed kids heading that way in the next few years.

So my contest winners are....
Future most improved- Texas Tech
Little confidence- Arkansas
Largest jump in recruiting talent- MS State & Missouri
Under achiever- Texas (always a possiblity to jump to the top)
Over achiever- Kentucky

As for answering to who needs a coaching change or new facilities- remember, most of our kids are recruiting age!

[heybuckethead]

TEAMS TO WATCH:
Big XII - Texas Tech, Iowa State & Kansas (it's not going to happen overnight, but new coaches aggressively chasing young talent. This conference is going to be fun to watch!)
SEC - Mississippi State & Arkansas (tough conference to compete in, but US team coach makes the difference and Arkansas coach tells AD no more 25-player rosters.)
Conference USA - UA-Birmingham and University of Central Florida (new UAB stadium and coach's commitment to recruit outside Alabama for first time; UCF will challenge Houston/Tulsa for conference dominance in 2-3 years)
Sunbelt - South Alabama & Western Kentucky (university commitments to the program, great locations for recruiting, and coaching, but still 3-4 years away)
WAC - (who cares)
Southland - (SFA will be next ULL in 2-3 years; Texas A&M - Corpus Christi moves to conference contender and is right behind. Both could be top 25 teams inside 5 years.)

DEAD ON ARRIVAL:
Bix XII - OSU (you see this school everywhere, but who are they signing)
SEC - Auburn (ses OSU above); Ole Miss (clueless)
Conference USA - Memphis (no coaching effort. It's a shame, because school has everything to be contender)
Sunbelt - North Texas (I thought the stadium and coach would turn it around, but no apparent plan or direction; they seem lost)
Southland - Southeastern Louisiana/Northwestern (location, location, location)

[pdj]

It will be interesting to see what larabee and Jamieson can do with the ladies at Arkansas. Broad base of instructor friends that are/were elite players should help.

Earlywine seems to be getting some decent players at Missouri. Gillis is having a good influence on some of their pitchers.

Texas A&M seems to get their pick of the Houston area players. For a while that area seemed to be owned by Yvette Girouard.